M.A, B.Ed degree holder Sindhu is happy to be a boat master

ALAPPUZHA: Sindhu remains cool even when the boat carries the passengers through the Vembanad Lake amidst heavy rain and wind. This 44-year-old woman, who holds M.A and B.Ed in Hindi, gave up even a teaching job to become a boat master. She is the first boat master in the state. There were two large ponds near her family house in Ambanakulangara and she learnt to swim at a very young age.

The boat master in the water transport department has a job similar to the bus conductor. The boat master has to control the driver, serang and lascars. In case of an emergency, the boat master should be ready to drive the boat.

As she completes five years of service, Sindhu has also become the favorite master of passengers on the Muhamma-Kumarakom service, the longest ferry route in the state. One more woman had secured a job in the same post. She is currently doing clerical work.

Sindhu had earlier obtained a boat master license and a canal license. She got qualified for the license under the canal rule after practising by operating the Pulinkunnu ferry service for several days. She was ranked fourth on the Boat Master list.